I have to say, it was truly hard to rank-order these. They are all great.
10 Saint Agnes Vampie
If you are feeling a bit combative and rebellious, this for you; enjoy this London band.
9 London Grammar California Soil
Another UK based artist. Special band for me.
8 Kerri Watt Neptune's Daughter
Scottish singer based in London (and I am not done with UK singers). You're going to like her.
7 Orla Gartland Woman on the Internet
Taking a break from the UK, here is an amazing artist from Ireland. Real deal, trust me.
6 Adele 30
I swear the UK thing is not by design. And you can't really argue with Adele. I missed her. This was really good.
5 Brandi Carlile In These Silent Days
I think she just gets better and better. So much love her.
Nashville based.
4 Ashe Ashlyn
Every year there is an album that gets better with every listen and keeps rising up my list. Like this one.
From California (not UK, ok?).
3 Birdy Young Heart
UK singer that I have loved for quite some time. I really can't say enough good things about her music and this album.
2 Wolf Alice Blue Weekend
This band has been a favorite for a while. But this is by far my favorite album from them. From London (should that just be the default?).
1 The Pretty Reckless Death By Rock And Roll
Oh boy, is this album good. Fucking good. Love this band. (from LA)
Friday, March 25, 2022
Sunday, March 20, 2022
2021 Albums - Summa Cum Laude part I
So many albumns I liked this year. These are my favorites of the favorites. Rank-ordered.
24 BEGINNERS Ooey Gooey
From Los Angeles. Very enjoyable.
23 Dust In Mind Ctrl
Great band from France. I never got tired of listening to this album.
22 Amythyst Kiah Wary + Strange
Nashville based. This singer can fit multiple genres accross different songs. This album was love at first listen for me.
21 Jade Bird A Different Kind of Light
A few years ago, I was priveledged to see her live before she got really big. From the UK.
20 Lilith Czar Created from Filth and Dust
Been a fan of Juliet Simms for some time. I really this version. From LA.
19 Ad Infinitum Chapter II - Legacy
Previously lead singer of Rage of Light, Melissa Bonny now fronts this amazing band. From Switzerland.
18 Evanescence The Bitter Truth
If there was a single band that "led" me to discover bands like Nightwish and Epica, it was this one. Amy Lee is amazing. Love her.
17 Epica Omega
Speaking of Epica. This powerhouse from the Netherlands just keeps putting out great albums.
16 Marina Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land
Marina Diamandis is half Welsh and half Greek. But she is all wonderful.
15 Garbage No Gods No Masters
Ok, so I have loved this band since 90's. But I was caught off guard by how good this album is. It is really good.
14 Rage Of Light Redemption
From Switzerland. Martyna Halas's vocals are awesome.
13 The Warning MAYDAY
A sister trio (it seems I have one every year) from Monterrey, Mexico. This would be higher, but it's basically an EP.
12 Emily Wolfe Outlier
Based out of Austin, TX. Just a wonderful singer-songwriter.
11 MONOWHALES Daytona Bleach
From Toronto. And you know what? They channel Metric on some songs. But their sound is their own. Lot's of earworm songs on this one.
From Los Angeles. Very enjoyable.
23 Dust In Mind Ctrl
Great band from France. I never got tired of listening to this album.
22 Amythyst Kiah Wary + Strange
Nashville based. This singer can fit multiple genres accross different songs. This album was love at first listen for me.
21 Jade Bird A Different Kind of Light
A few years ago, I was priveledged to see her live before she got really big. From the UK.
20 Lilith Czar Created from Filth and Dust
Been a fan of Juliet Simms for some time. I really this version. From LA.
19 Ad Infinitum Chapter II - Legacy
Previously lead singer of Rage of Light, Melissa Bonny now fronts this amazing band. From Switzerland.
18 Evanescence The Bitter Truth
If there was a single band that "led" me to discover bands like Nightwish and Epica, it was this one. Amy Lee is amazing. Love her.
17 Epica Omega
Speaking of Epica. This powerhouse from the Netherlands just keeps putting out great albums.
16 Marina Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land
Marina Diamandis is half Welsh and half Greek. But she is all wonderful.
15 Garbage No Gods No Masters
Ok, so I have loved this band since 90's. But I was caught off guard by how good this album is. It is really good.
14 Rage Of Light Redemption
From Switzerland. Martyna Halas's vocals are awesome.
13 The Warning MAYDAY
A sister trio (it seems I have one every year) from Monterrey, Mexico. This would be higher, but it's basically an EP.
12 Emily Wolfe Outlier
Based out of Austin, TX. Just a wonderful singer-songwriter.
11 MONOWHALES Daytona Bleach
From Toronto. And you know what? They channel Metric on some songs. But their sound is their own. Lot's of earworm songs on this one.
Sunday, March 6, 2022
2021 Albums - Magna Cum Laude
Like Cum Laude, this list is not rank-ordered.
Anette Olzon Strong
She was the second lead singer of Nighwish before have a rather acrimonious fallout with them in 2012. Her career continued of course and I really enjoyed this Solo effort. From Sweden.
Anna Smyrk The Hour Between Us
Pretty much there is always an Australian singer on my list. This year is no exception. I really like this one.
Billie Eilish Happier Than Ever
What can I say? She's got talent. From Los Angeles for completeness.
CHVRCHES Screen Violence
Hugely popular Scottish band. And with good reason.
Dead Sara Ain't It Tragic
This Calfornia band bas been around a while now. I liked them over a decade ago, and I like their maturation. This is a very good album.
Diamante American Dream
Hard for me to believe this artist isn't more popular. From Irvine California.
Enemy Inside Seven
There are several great gothic rock bands who released excellent ablums this year. This one is from Germany.
Ghostly Kisses Alone Together
I am heavily biased against putting EPs on my list, but I do when I really like it. Even more rate I will put it on my Magna list. Draw your own conclusions. From Quebec.
Icon For Hire Amorphous
From Decatur Illinois. This band in underrated.
Joy Crookes Skin
Accordin to Wikipedia, "Joy Elizabeth Akther Crookes was born in the Lambeth district of South London on 9 October 1998 to a Bangladeshi mother from Dhaka and an Irish father from Dublin." Welcome to the modern world. Try to not to like her. That voice.
KOBURG Stripped
This London based singer is the kind of act I would only find through Bandcamp. She released another album in January 2022 that will make my 2022 list too.
Lealani & SnakeFoot Lealani SnakeFoot
Los Angeles based. Quite possibly influenced by Bjork. JK, obviously influenced by Bjork. Love it.
Sirenia Riddles, Ruins & Revelations
This Norwegian Gothic Metal band has been around a while. Still going strong.
Skarlett Riot Invicta
This is a great rock band from Scunthorpe, UK. Yeah, look that up.
Sumo Cyco Initiation
Toronot based. I really love this band.
The Anchoress
From Wales, I only recently discoverd this artist. Something special. Clear Tori Amos influence here.
Therion Leviathan
This Swedish Metal band had been around for over 20 years. This album is excellent.
Willows The Hills
From Montreal. A mere five song EP. On the list here because it's damn good.
Yola Stand For Myself
From Bristol, UK.
She was the second lead singer of Nighwish before have a rather acrimonious fallout with them in 2012. Her career continued of course and I really enjoyed this Solo effort. From Sweden.
Anna Smyrk The Hour Between Us
Pretty much there is always an Australian singer on my list. This year is no exception. I really like this one.
Billie Eilish Happier Than Ever
What can I say? She's got talent. From Los Angeles for completeness.
CHVRCHES Screen Violence
Hugely popular Scottish band. And with good reason.
Dead Sara Ain't It Tragic
This Calfornia band bas been around a while now. I liked them over a decade ago, and I like their maturation. This is a very good album.
Diamante American Dream
Hard for me to believe this artist isn't more popular. From Irvine California.
Enemy Inside Seven
There are several great gothic rock bands who released excellent ablums this year. This one is from Germany.
Ghostly Kisses Alone Together
I am heavily biased against putting EPs on my list, but I do when I really like it. Even more rate I will put it on my Magna list. Draw your own conclusions. From Quebec.
Icon For Hire Amorphous
From Decatur Illinois. This band in underrated.
Joy Crookes Skin
Accordin to Wikipedia, "Joy Elizabeth Akther Crookes was born in the Lambeth district of South London on 9 October 1998 to a Bangladeshi mother from Dhaka and an Irish father from Dublin." Welcome to the modern world. Try to not to like her. That voice.
KOBURG Stripped
This London based singer is the kind of act I would only find through Bandcamp. She released another album in January 2022 that will make my 2022 list too.
Lealani & SnakeFoot Lealani SnakeFoot
Los Angeles based. Quite possibly influenced by Bjork. JK, obviously influenced by Bjork. Love it.
Sirenia Riddles, Ruins & Revelations
This Norwegian Gothic Metal band has been around a while. Still going strong.
Skarlett Riot Invicta
This is a great rock band from Scunthorpe, UK. Yeah, look that up.
Sumo Cyco Initiation
Toronot based. I really love this band.
The Anchoress
From Wales, I only recently discoverd this artist. Something special. Clear Tori Amos influence here.
Therion Leviathan
This Swedish Metal band had been around for over 20 years. This album is excellent.
Willows The Hills
From Montreal. A mere five song EP. On the list here because it's damn good.
Yola Stand For Myself
From Bristol, UK.
Friday, March 4, 2022
2021 Top Albums, Cum Laude
Over 90 albums purchased this year. Here are my favorites.
The Cum Laude list is not rank-ordered.
Against The Current fever
A very likeable band from Poughkeepsie, New York. I saw them live in St. Paul back in 2019.
Blackbriar The Cause of Shipwreck
From the Netherlands.
Crawlers Crawlers-EP
Normally, EP's only get on my list if they are really good. Such is the case here. From Manchester, UK.
Deap Vally Marriage
This is a great Duo from Los Angeles.
Elise LeGrow Grateful
If you know me, you know I love Canada. From Toronto. Definitely some Amy Winehouse vibes.
Eliza Shaddad The Woman You Want
"A Sudanese-Scottish folk singer-songwriter based in London" Which to me just says 21st Century.
Frozen Crown Winterbane
From Milan, Italy
GIRLI Ex Talk
A London based singer I can't help but love.
Inner Stream Stain The Sea
A great band from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Laurenne / Louhimo The Reckoning
Finland never disapoints.
LOVEBITES GLORY, GLORY, TO THE WORLD
Japanese female metal band. What is not to like?
Ships In The Night Latent Powers
From Charlottesville, Virginia.
Softcult Year Of The Rat
From Kitchener Ontario.
swim school making sense of it all
From Edinburgh, Scottland.
Tori Amos Ocean to Ocean
No one artist did more to get me into female singer-songwriters than Tori Amos. She is the Queen. Love her forever.
Torres Thirstier
Nashville based artist. Worth a listen for sure. Trust me.
Unwoman Of My Own Space and Time I Am Queen
Cellist, singer-songwriter, based in San Franscisco. Of course I like her.
A very likeable band from Poughkeepsie, New York. I saw them live in St. Paul back in 2019.
Blackbriar The Cause of Shipwreck
From the Netherlands.
Crawlers Crawlers-EP
Normally, EP's only get on my list if they are really good. Such is the case here. From Manchester, UK.
Deap Vally Marriage
This is a great Duo from Los Angeles.
Elise LeGrow Grateful
If you know me, you know I love Canada. From Toronto. Definitely some Amy Winehouse vibes.
Eliza Shaddad The Woman You Want
"A Sudanese-Scottish folk singer-songwriter based in London" Which to me just says 21st Century.
Frozen Crown Winterbane
From Milan, Italy
GIRLI Ex Talk
A London based singer I can't help but love.
Inner Stream Stain The Sea
A great band from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Laurenne / Louhimo The Reckoning
Finland never disapoints.
LOVEBITES GLORY, GLORY, TO THE WORLD
Japanese female metal band. What is not to like?
Ships In The Night Latent Powers
From Charlottesville, Virginia.
Softcult Year Of The Rat
From Kitchener Ontario.
swim school making sense of it all
From Edinburgh, Scottland.
Tori Amos Ocean to Ocean
No one artist did more to get me into female singer-songwriters than Tori Amos. She is the Queen. Love her forever.
Torres Thirstier
Nashville based artist. Worth a listen for sure. Trust me.
Unwoman Of My Own Space and Time I Am Queen
Cellist, singer-songwriter, based in San Franscisco. Of course I like her.
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